Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
The morning suit, also sometimes called "tails," originated in the 1880s. The coat evolved from the frock coat, a formal daytime garment worn by the upper classes in the late 18th century and the sack suit, which was a more casual clothing option. The morning coat was a compromise between the two styles, balancing formality and practicality.
Morning coats were designed with a cutaway front, where the front edges slope back in a curve, instead of in a straight vertical line down the front, as in a frock coat. The usual accessories associated with a morning coat were a vest of the same material, striped trousers, a stiffened wing collar, a cravat or bow tie, a top hat, gloves, and possibly a cane. Today, morning garb is worn only for special formal occasions like weddings or governmental ceremonies.